The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Mayor is to blame
for traffic problem

The folks who face dismal traffic on Bubb and McClellan have only Kris Wang to blame. The irony should not be lost that Wang had an opportunity to fix the traffic problem, but instead chose the path of pandering and ignorance. Instead of listening to sound arguments for creating traffic relief, community benefits, new parks and new homes on the Measurex site, she chose the applause from a small crowd of NIMBYS whose fear was only exceeded by their complete lack of knowledge concerning land use planning, traffic flows and the law of unintended consequences.

Now the Measurex site has been sold for industrial use, as advocated by the NIMBYs, and the traffic problem will increase exponentially. A traffic relief plan that would have alleviated traffic in the area and been paid for by Taylor Woodrow Homes was rejected on a 2-2 vote, with Wang as the deciding vote. This traffic relief plan was supported with real evidence by experts who actually know something about traffic congestion. But now, instead of a few cars leaving the site at different hours of the day, we will have potentially hundreds of new cars going to the site at the same exact time parents are driving to drop off their kids at Lincoln, Kennedy and Monta Vista.

Wang's current plan to use VTA buses to alleviate the problem is another sign she is simply not qualified to hold public office. Giving $1 million to another government agency for four buses is double-dipping the taxpayer. Moreover, if we had an extra million to throw around, why not give it to the school district to run the bus service? Finally, VTA already runs buses along the major school routes during school hours. Nobody seems to use them.

Maybe she should suggest a Child Anti-Obesity Program, that costs taxpayers nothing, and forces kids to walk or ride their bikes to school. Oh yeah, the traffic problem she exacerbated with her vote makes such a program unsafe for the school children.

Finally, how does Wang justify the expenditure of $9,000, with absolutely no accountability of taxpayer money, going to place flowers in the homes of few private citizens? I thought slush funds for private elected officials were illegal. But I guess every citizen of Cupertino is eligible to pick up a few free plants for their garden on March 1, just get there early--because at $5 per plant, there are only 1,800 to be given away.

Richard Robinson

Farallone Drive

Why the rush to
get rid of history?

My husband and I have shopped at Vallco Fashion Park since we moved to the area in 1971. We have seen the changes to it over the years and have hoped that this reincarnation would put it back into being a viable shopping center. We now join the early morning walkers during the week and it has been interesting to watch the construction.

What disturbs us is that they are thinking of changing the name to Cupertino Square. We think they ought to keep the Vallco part of the name and maybe call it Vallco Square or Vallco Cupertino. Why are people so inclined to get rid of what history we have in this valley?

Vera Masters

Santa Clara

Teen years are time
to learn citizenship

I'm writing in response to the article by Moryt Milo about teens and voting (Feb. 14 issue). I really appreciate her comments and I thank the Courier for carrying the editorial.

The time to interest and educate Americans in their government(local, state and federal) is during the formative teen years. A lifelong commitment to participating in community issues can begin during those years. A sense of personal responsibility and involvement is necessary to make democracy "work.'' Every citizen is essential and must understand the basic structure of our society's government so that they can participate and contribute effectively. All this can begin before the student graduates from high school.

I totally agree: Voter registration is good--but, it is not enough.

Mona W. Norins

Torre Avenue

Kehmeier column
draws reader praise

I want to thank you for printing the fantastic and succinct article about global warming written by Dave Kehmeier in the Courier. I really like the fact it points out that we don't have to "face down bulldozers in the Amazon" and instead can act locally to make a change--do little things, make little changes, "baby steps" if you will, toward changing our complacent consumption habits and preserving our planet. More importantly, we need to teach good consumption habits to our children too, especially since children follow examples that are shown to them, right?

Furthermore, I am convinced that global warming is indeed a very real and serious issue. As Vice President Gore mentioned during his speech at the Oscars, "Global Warming is NOT a political issue, but rather a moral issue." I would think and hope that citizens would want to leave a livable planet for their children, grandchildren and their great-great grandchildren, who we probably will never meet but who would benefit greatly by our actions of today. We need to think about how we can preserve the planet for the future by acting responsibly now. After all, yesterday's bad consumption habits can easily and affordably be changed today to positively impact tomorrow.

I look forward to more thoughtfully and intelligently written articles from Mr. Kehmeier.

L. Soohoo

Cupertino

Native trees are good
choice for residents

After listening to the closing arguments at the Jan. 23 Planning Commission meeting regarding Cupertino's tree ordinance, it made me think about our family discussion regarding trees. Our landscape designer is a big proponent of native plants and educated us on the beauty of native plants. We wanted to plant more oaks on our property but decided against it because once the oaks exceed 10 inches in diameter then the city has a say in how we manage our oak trees. So instead we planted non-protected trees.

Now some commissioners want to expand our list of protected trees. I say don't do it. Sometimes good intentions will backfire. I suggest we encourage planting of native trees by offering free or discounted native plants. Maybe even offer free classes on landscaping designs with native plants. It will be best if property owners can manage trees we planted without the city's interference.

Sherry Fang

Lindy Lane